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Age and sex differences in the incorporation of EPA and DHA into plasma fractions, cells and adipose tissue in humans

Age and sex differences in the incorporation of EPA and DHA into plasma fractions, cells and adipose tissue in humans
Age and sex differences in the incorporation of EPA and DHA into plasma fractions, cells and adipose tissue in humans
The aim of the present study was to determine whether age and sex influence both the status and incorporation of EPA and DHA into blood plasma, cells and tissues. The study was a double-blind, randomised, controlled intervention trial, providing EPA plus DHA equivalent to 0, 1, 2 or 4 portions of oily fish per week for 12 months. The participants were stratified by age and sex. A linear regression model was used to analyse baseline outcomes, with covariates for age or sex groups and by adjusting for BMI. The change in outcomes from baseline to 12 months was analysed with additional adjustment for treatment and average compliance. Fatty acid profiles in plasma phosphatidylcholine, cholesteryl esters, NEFA and TAG, mononuclear cells (MNC), erythrocyte membranes, platelets, buccal cells (BU) and adipose tissue (AT) were determined. At baseline, EPA concentrations in plasma NEFA and DHA concentrations in MNC, BU and AT were higher in females than in males (all P< 0·05). The concentrations of EPA in AT (P= 0·003) and those of DHA in plasma TAG (P< 0·01) and AT (P< 0·001) were higher with increasing age. Following 12-month supplementation with EPA plus DHA, adjusted mean difference for change in EPA concentrations in plasma TAG was significantly higher in females than in males (P< 0·05) and was greater with increasing age (P= 0·02). Adjusted mean difference for change in DHA concentrations in AT was significantly smaller with increasing age (P= 0·02). Although small differences in incorporation with age and sex were identified, these were not of sufficient magnitude to warrant a move away from population-level diet recommendations for n-3 PUFA.
fish oil, EPA, DHA, n-3 PUFA
0007-1145
679-689
Walker, C.G.
612e7ef4-6bf9-42f6-9948-0ad00021fd49
Browning, L.M.
757097ae-415f-4f54-9e81-a129c5bcec83
Mander, A.P.
1368b569-3778-4088-b2ce-6857a9740331
Madden, J.
0771e352-d432-41ea-8a7e-4704c1efca46
West, A.L.
e8dacc1a-5fdc-4a4f-92d8-608f2ea2994c
Calder, P.C.
1797e54f-378e-4dcb-80a4-3e30018f07a6
Jebb, S.A.
c734720d-52eb-4656-a712-24398ef662f2
Walker, C.G.
612e7ef4-6bf9-42f6-9948-0ad00021fd49
Browning, L.M.
757097ae-415f-4f54-9e81-a129c5bcec83
Mander, A.P.
1368b569-3778-4088-b2ce-6857a9740331
Madden, J.
0771e352-d432-41ea-8a7e-4704c1efca46
West, A.L.
e8dacc1a-5fdc-4a4f-92d8-608f2ea2994c
Calder, P.C.
1797e54f-378e-4dcb-80a4-3e30018f07a6
Jebb, S.A.
c734720d-52eb-4656-a712-24398ef662f2

Walker, C.G., Browning, L.M., Mander, A.P., Madden, J., West, A.L., Calder, P.C. and Jebb, S.A. (2014) Age and sex differences in the incorporation of EPA and DHA into plasma fractions, cells and adipose tissue in humans. British Journal of Nutrition, 111 (4), 679-689. (doi:10.1017/S0007114513002985). (PMID:24063767)

Record type: Article

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine whether age and sex influence both the status and incorporation of EPA and DHA into blood plasma, cells and tissues. The study was a double-blind, randomised, controlled intervention trial, providing EPA plus DHA equivalent to 0, 1, 2 or 4 portions of oily fish per week for 12 months. The participants were stratified by age and sex. A linear regression model was used to analyse baseline outcomes, with covariates for age or sex groups and by adjusting for BMI. The change in outcomes from baseline to 12 months was analysed with additional adjustment for treatment and average compliance. Fatty acid profiles in plasma phosphatidylcholine, cholesteryl esters, NEFA and TAG, mononuclear cells (MNC), erythrocyte membranes, platelets, buccal cells (BU) and adipose tissue (AT) were determined. At baseline, EPA concentrations in plasma NEFA and DHA concentrations in MNC, BU and AT were higher in females than in males (all P< 0·05). The concentrations of EPA in AT (P= 0·003) and those of DHA in plasma TAG (P< 0·01) and AT (P< 0·001) were higher with increasing age. Following 12-month supplementation with EPA plus DHA, adjusted mean difference for change in EPA concentrations in plasma TAG was significantly higher in females than in males (P< 0·05) and was greater with increasing age (P= 0·02). Adjusted mean difference for change in DHA concentrations in AT was significantly smaller with increasing age (P= 0·02). Although small differences in incorporation with age and sex were identified, these were not of sufficient magnitude to warrant a move away from population-level diet recommendations for n-3 PUFA.

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More information

e-pub ahead of print date: 24 September 2013
Published date: February 2014
Keywords: fish oil, EPA, DHA, n-3 PUFA
Organisations: Human Development & Health

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 362633
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/362633
ISSN: 0007-1145
PURE UUID: 34a54cd0-0c7a-490e-8100-d251f888a427
ORCID for P.C. Calder: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0002-6038-710X

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Date deposited: 28 Feb 2014 15:38
Last modified: 15 Mar 2024 02:50

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Contributors

Author: C.G. Walker
Author: L.M. Browning
Author: A.P. Mander
Author: J. Madden
Author: A.L. West
Author: P.C. Calder ORCID iD
Author: S.A. Jebb

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